Will ExxonMobil and Peabody Coal Chu up the New Energy Secretary?

onDec 11, 2008 @ 16:38 PST

President-elect Obama has chosen Steven Chu, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, who heads the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, to be the next energy secretary. He should have picked a street-fighter instead. Chu is making enormous contributions to nano-solar and bio-based energy technology. He’s also a strong believer in the need to combat global warming. But given his demeanor and his scientific background, it’s very likely that ExxonMobil, Peabody Coal and the rest of the dinosaur lobby will hand him his lunch.

By Ross Gelbspan

Analysis

uk/How Will Reform Rule Affect Local Climate Policy?

ByAdam Barnett

onMay 13, 2026 @ 08:23 PDT

Farage’s party has shown over the last year that it will attempt to block and reverse clean energy initiatives in its new councils.

Series: Defending Democracy from Dirty Money

Series: Defending-UK-Democracy

Event | Off the Record: How to Talk to Journalists, Lawyers, and Activist Organizations

ByDeSmog

onMay 13, 2026 @ 05:23 PDT

Join a May 19 discussion on how advertising and PR professionals can help journalists hold the industry to account, featuring DeSmog investigative reporters.

Oil Pipelines Align With Jesus, Danielle Smith Tells Christian Leaders

ByMary Stuart and Geoff Dembicki

onMay 13, 2026 @ 04:00 PDT

The Alberta premier gave a biblical justification for oil expansion at a Christian conference featuring Conservative MPs and provincial cabinet ministers.